Here’s Why Hawkeye and Hulk Are The Most Important Original Avenger

Though they may not get the same attention as Thor, Hulk and Hawkeye are the most important surviving Avengers in Phase 4 and beyond following

By Mabel Judith Andrady
December 16,2021
Featured Image

Though they may not get the same attention as Thor, Hulk and Hawkeye are the most important surviving Avengers in Phase 4 and beyond following Endgame. The Joe and Anthony Russo film also served as a farewell to MCU’s founding heroes, including Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America. Only half of the original Avengers team remained in the MCU, but all of them have now been confirmed to appear in upcoming films.

However, as of now, neither Hawkeye nor Hulk are expected to appear on the big screen in Phase 4 or beyond, at least according to Marvel Studios’ current schedule. In its place, Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder will only feature an appearance by the God of Thunder. Hawkeye and Hulk returned to the MCU in TV shows. However, Hawkeye and She-Hulk remain the most influential figures in the MCU after Endgame’s trauma.

The Past Is Important For The Future

Bruce Banner as Hulk

Aside from being founding members of the MCU, Hawkeye and Hulk don’t appear to share much else in common. Since the events of The Incredible Hulk, the public has been privy to the identity of the Hulk’s alter ego. While there are some similarities between their storylines, there are also some differences. In the wake of Thanos’ victory in Avengers: Infinity War, they adopted new personas.

When Bruce Banner and the Hulk merged into the Smart Hulk, Clint Barton became Ronin and Hawkeye returned to his former self. At least two of these changes were physically manifested: Hawkeye got his Ronin tattoos, and Hulk became more human-like. Both characters have overturned their identity changes following the defeat of Josh Brolin’s Mad Titan. As a result, the scars and changes they’ve undergone after Endgame are painful reminders of what happened before Phase 4 began. After Endgame, the original Avengers band together to reaffirm the importance of the past for the future of the MCU.

Endgame did not have time to address Hawkeye’s grief over Natasha’s death. Nonetheless, it will undoubtedly shape his story. This is because he has already focused on Natasha’s death in a meaningful way. Hawkeye and Hulk are aligned in their need to cope with Black Widow’s death; both loved her in different ways. Hawkeye revealed visions of Wanda’s death still tormenting him. Here is when Clint’s sorrow over what happened in Vormir returned to him in full force.

Hawkeye and Hulk Are Crucial Heroes

Hawkeye and Hulk

The character indicated that it would follow him for the rest of his life. This is because it could have been him who made the ultimate sacrifice. Even though he wasn’t a direct player in her death, Hulk’s unresolved feelings from his brief romance with Natasha Romanoff in Age Of Ultron could cause him to feel terrible guilt over abandoning her. Iron Man and Black Widow’s deaths may never be discussed again in the MCU Phase 5 without these two heroes. This is a shame because her sacrifice was as significant as her partners.

The events of Infinity War and its sequel will have a lasting impact on Hawkeye and Hulk, unlike Thor, who won’t have any more problems after Endgame because Thanos was defeated (as hinted at by his transition back to “normal” in Thor: Love & Thunder). As a result, they serve as a vital link between the Infinity Saga and the remainder of MCU Phase 4. This is where Kate Bishop and Jennifer Walters will succeed. To be sure, even after Phase 4, Hawkeye and Hulk will be crucial characters. When it comes to interconnectivity, it’s vital that lessons learned from Endgame can be passed on to the next superheroes.